Process of desulphurizing petroleum and petroleum distillates



Patented June 5, 1923.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

' ALBERT EENEs'r DUNSTAN AND FERDINAND BERNARD THOLE, or SANBURY-ON- THAMEs, ENGLAND.

PROCESS OF DESULPHURIZING PETROLEUM AND PETROLEUM DISTILLATES.

No Drawing.

To all whom it may concern: H

Be it known that we, ALBERT ERNEST DUNs'rAN, D. So, and FERDINAND BERNARD THoLE, D. So, subjects of the King of Great Britain and Ireland, both residing at Meadhurst, Cadbury Road, Sanbury-on- Thames, England, have invented certain new and useful Improvements Relating to Processes of Desulphurizing Petroleum and Petroleum Distillates, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to the de-sulphurization of petroleum and petroleum distillates.

The invention relates to the utilization for the adsorption of the sulphur compounds in such liquids of the highly adsorptive surface which can be prepared by the de-hydration of a natural or artificial inorganic gel.

We have found in particular certain varieties of fullers earth such as floridin, and bauxite to be suitable for this purpose but anartificial gel suitable for use according to the invention may be prepared by the utilization of metallic hydroxides such as iron and aluminium hydroxides which are gelatinous and colloidal in character.

According to the invention the fullers earth or other such material is ignited and when freshly ignited and while still warm is used as a filtering medium for the oil to be de-sulphurized or is used for admixture with the oil to be treated, and is separated by sedimentation or in a filter press.

In carrying the invention into effect for example in the treatment of benzine, the sulphur content is substantially reduced by filtration through freshly ignited floridin which is used in the condition of granules passing a 40 inch mesh and retained on a inch mesh screen, the floridin being used while still warm after ignition in the furnace or oven, and being kept warm during the period of contact. The contact medium may also be used in the form of a fine powder. The temperature of the contact Application filed September 5, 1922. Serial No. 586,346.

material on introduction may for example be approximately 150 C.

The oil during treatment may be heated as for example by means of a steam jacket so as thus to ensure that the contact material is maintained at the necessary temperature to ensure the effectiveness of the treatment. By such means a substantially complete desulphurization can be effected.

The amount of contact material used may be readily determined. We have for example found that a substantially complete de-sulphurization of a benzine may be effected in the use of four lbs. of floridin per gallon, while in another case we have found that substantially complete de-sulphurization can be effected in the use of nine lbs. of

bauxite per gallon.

We claim:

1. A liquid phase process for desulphurizing petroleum and petroleum distillates, consisting of bringing the petroleum or petroleum distillate at a temperature below the boiling point thereof into contact with a freshly ignlted, adsorptive, dehydrated inorganic gel while said gelis still in a heated state from said ignition.

2. A liquid phase process for desulphurizing petroleum and petroleum distillates, consisting of treating the petroleum or petroleum distillate in the liquid phase with a relatively large quantity of a freshly ignited, adsorptive, dehydrated inorganic gel while said gel is still in a heated state from said ignition.

3. A liquid. phase process for desulphu'rizing light petroleum distillates, consisting of treating said distillates at a temperature below the boiling point thereof with a freshly ignited, adsorptive, dehydrated inorganic gel inamount not less than four pounds per gallon of distillate while the gel is still in a heated state from said ignition.

ALBERT ERNEST DUNSTAN. FERDINAND BERNARD THOLE. 

